Solihull: New Moors manager appointed

All the latest news, advice and events for the Solihull business community

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Bootcamp to provide business skills boost

Young people from across Birmingham and the West Midlands are set to receive a business skills boost, via a new bootcamp running this summer.

Solihull based Digital Innovators has revealed details of its first workplace skills summer bootcamp scheme, running from 5 July to 13 August.

Based at iCentrum in Central Birmingham, the fun, interactive bootcamps will include 14 to 18year-old participants taking on a live business challenge and pitch their ideas to local businesses, while learning sought-after workplace skills from experienced business mentors.

The bootcamps will be run by Digital Innovators, a training provider which has helped more than 650 young people develop workplace and digital skills since the start of the pandemic.

Mick Westman, chief executive and founder of Digital Innovators, said: “Our bootcamps will provide young people with a fun, practical and interactive opportunity to develop their skills and gain experience working on their own entrepreneurial projects to boost their confidence and their CV.

“We want to ensure that no young person feels left behind as a result of the pandemic, and can develop vital skills to support their next step, whether that’s college, university or getting a job.”

College offers digital course to community

Solihull College & University Centre is launching a new ‘Essential Digital Skills’ course to help the local community feel more comfortable using digital technology this summer.

The free course aims to provide support to adults who would like to familiarise themselves with basic computing skills. It will be delivered over 15 weeks consisting of one three-hour session per week.

Tutor Ahmed Sheikh, who holds a Master’s in cyber security, said: “We are proud to be a pioneering adult education provider and by offering this course we aim to address the gaps in digital skills within neighbouring communities.

“Our vision is to offer this course to areas in the wider Birmingham district too. Due to our impressive facilities and our teaching methods, we know this will be a great initiative.”

The college has state-of-the-art IT facilities at its Computing Centre at Blossomfield Campus. On completion, students may want to progress onto a range of the college’s computing courses, including CISCO and Microsoft courses.

Former Notts County manager joins Moors

New boss: Neal Ardley

Former Notts County and AFC Wimbledon manager Neal Ardley has joined Solihull Moors as the club’s first team manager.

The 48-year-old spent more than six years in charge of AFC Wimbledon, before moving to Notts County in 2018, who were relegated to the National League at the end of that season but two years later narrowly missed out on securing a return to the Football League, after a 3-1 defeat by Harrogate Town.

Ardley left Notts County in March, when they were 14 points behind then leaders Sutton United – however, the club still made the playoffs again, this time losing out to Torquay.

Before his managerial career, Ardley made 200 appearances as a midfielder for Wimbledon.

‘We are fortunate to have been able to attract a manager of Neal’s pedigree’

He also went on to represent Watford, Cardiff City and Millwall, and collected 10 caps for England at Under-21 level.

In his new role at Moors, Neal will be assisted by James Quinn, who has been promoted from his role as first-team coach to assistant manager.

The vastly experienced Greg Abbott, who was Ardley’s number two at Notts County, has also joined Moors on a consultancy basis.

Neal hopes to keep Moors moving forward, on and off the pitch.

He said: “After leaving Notts County I was hoping my next job could be a project that would give me the chance to take a club forward.

“From day one after meeting Darryl Eales, Tim Murphy and Craig Cope it was clear there’s a huge ambition to go alongside the wonderful story of Solihull Moors.

“I hope to add to the great work that’s been put in place and keep the club moving forward on and off the pitch.

“I’m really looking forward to starting with the players after their strong finish to last season, and working closely with Quinny and all the staff at the club.

“Alongside this, Greg Abbott’s huge knowledge and contacts will help the club attract and recruit even more quality to the squad. I’m excited to get going.”

Commenting on Ardley’s appointment, Moors chairman Darryl Eales said: “We are fortunate to have been able to attract a manager of Neal’s pedigree and track record.

“I first met Neal when he was at AFC Wimbledon, and I was chairman of Oxford United. I would have liked to have appointed him as Oxford manager when Michael Appleton left to join Leicester City. At that time, I deemed it inappropriate to approach a manager at another club.

“It was serendipity when Notts County released Neal and I am absolutely delighted that we have persuaded Neal to join the Moors project.

“Not only is Neal a highly experienced and accomplished manager but he is also one of the most humble and genuine people I have met.

“I’m also delighted that Quinny will play a more central role in the coaching team and that we have secured the experience and know-how of Greg Abbott to assist our push for promotion next season.”

Advice for Covid money savers

Former Solihull Chamber president, Kevin Johns, is urging Covid money savers to take stock of their relationship with money, as national restrictions ease and the economy starts to bounce back.

Kevin, also managing director at leading Midlands accountancy firm Prime Accountants Group, has said that the pandemic has turned many into ‘saving machines’, as a result of being forced to stay inside, not pay for daily commutes, meals out or impulse shopping spending.

Although many have been able to stash cash away, Kevin says this super saving comes with its own set of risks as different swathes of the economy starts to open back up.

He said: “The pandemic has turned some people into saving machines, many for the first time in their lives. While this is incredible, it comes with its own set of risks.

“The past year has certainly highlighted how vulnerable many people are to financial shocks. So, it is extremely important they embrace what has been a golden opportunity to save and evaluate how they can continue on this trajectory for future events.

“If you’ve historically found sticking to a budget challenging, make use of free budgeting apps that can help you plan better. Transfer the money into a separate bank account so that it’s out of sight and you’re not tempted to spend it.”

He also made a clear warning to Covid-19 savers on credit card debt, urging them to clear debt in order to pay less hefty interest rates.

Kevin said: “Credit cards can be a tricky business with the extremely high interest rates in the market today. Most credit card users are highly likely to pay more interest on debts than they earn from money in savings.

“This means if you do not use your savings to pay off debts, you will likely end up paying more in interest than if you just cleared them straight away, as the longer it takes you to repay your debts, the more interest will accumulate.

“My advice to Covid-19 savers would be to use a portion of their savings to clear any credit card debt. Using cash which you already have to clear your debts will save money in the long term.”

Money on the mind: Kevin Johns

Bootcamp to provide business skills boost

Young people from across Birmingham and the West Midlands are set to receive a business skills boost, via a new bootcamp running this summer.

Solihull based Digital Innovators has revealed details of its first workplace skills summer bootcamp scheme, running from 5 July to 13 August.

Based at iCentrum in Central Birmingham, the fun, interactive bootcamps will include 14 to 18- year-old participants taking on a live business challenge and pitch their ideas to local businesses, while learning sought-after workplace skills from experienced business mentors.

The bootcamps will be run by Digital Innovators, a training provider which has helped more than 650 young people develop workplace and digital skills since the start of the pandemic.

Mick Westman, chief executive and founder of Digital Innovators, said: “Our bootcamps will provide young people with a fun, practical and interactive opportunity to develop their skills and gain experience working on their own entrepreneurial projects to boost their confidence and their CV.

“We want to ensure that no young person feels left behind as a result of the pandemic, and can develop vital skills to support their next step, whether that’s college, university or getting a job.”